Artist Chris Parks Will Open Solo Exhibition in October
The Morean Arts Center will debut Shapeshifter, a solo retrospective for Chris Parks, on October 10, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Fine Art
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St. Petersburg-based artist Chris Parks will debut his first solo exhibition in 10 years at the Morean Arts Center on October 10, 2026. The show, titled Shapeshifter, serves as a retrospective and a pivot away from his past commercial art career.
Why it matters
This exhibition marks a significant transition for the 47-year-old artist as he moves from high-volume commercial projects to a focus on fine art. The event also highlights the local creative scene through an accompanying group show featuring over 30 artists.
The exhibition features various media including rock posters, lenticulars, and gold-brushed aluminum. This event follows a 20-year career for the artist within the Tampa Bay art community.
The players
Chris Parks
A 47-year-old St. Petersburg artist who is opening a solo retrospective after a decade-long hiatus from solo shows.
Morean Arts Center
A community art venue located in St. Petersburg that hosts both the solo exhibition and the companion group show.
Michelle Tannu
The curator responsible for organizing the group show Practice Dying: A Skull & Bones Exhibit.
The details
Chris Parks will begin live painting a large-scale mural on the gallery wall starting October 1, 2026, allowing visitors to witness the creation process. A companion group exhibition titled Practice Dying: A Skull & Bones Exhibit, curated by Michelle Tannu, will open simultaneously at the venue.
Timeline
October 1, 2026: Chris Parks begins live painting of the gallery mural.
October 10, 2026: Shapeshifter and the companion group exhibition open to the public.
Industry Dynamics
This retrospective reflects a wider movement among established regional artists to pivot from high-volume commercial production toward more personal fine art. The trend highlights a shift in local creative priorities within the competitive Florida arts market.
Visitors can access the gallery to view the mural's completion in person starting October 1. The exhibition provides a rare opportunity to view the latest works from the 47-year-old artist alongside a curated group show.
The takeaway
The transition to gallery-focused work offers a distinct look at the evolution of long-standing regional artistic styles. Attendees can expect a diverse display ranging from traditional posters to experimental gold-brushed aluminum pieces.
Further reading
Learn more about the local creative scene on the Fine Art page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Creative Loafing: Tampa Bay.
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